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Europa restaurant in Ludlow gets liquor license suspension

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The Europa restaurant on Center Street in Ludlow has received a three-day suspension of its liquor license after firefighters reported that the cafe exceeded its 75 person limit on Feb. 21.
(The Republican [file])

LUDLOW — The Board of Selectmen Tuesday night agreed to a three-day suspension of the liquor license for Europa Cafe on Center Street after firefighters reported that the restaurant exceeded its 75-person limit on Feb. 21.

Selectman Chairman William Rooney said the Fire Department responded to a fire at Reservoir Heights off Center Street and on the way back to the fire station had difficulty getting vehicles down Center Street because of all the cars parked on Center Street by patrons of the Europa Cafe.

Building Inspector Justin Larivee said there is enough parking at Europa Cafe so no cars should be parking on Center Street.

“If the fire trucks were prohibited from getting to the fire, this would have been a real problem,” Rooney said.

Fire Chief Mark Babineau said the state passed new regulations related to overcrowding in 2004.

Overcrowding is the number one public safety concern cited when there is loss of life, Babineau said.

Rooney said it is the responsibility of Europa Cafe owner Michael Rodrigues to make sure the cafe is not overcrowded.

If there is another overcrowding violation, a sprinkler system will be required for the building, Rooney said.

“We need to protect the public inside the building,” Babineau said.

Selectman Carmina Fernandes said she believes Rodrigues should be given a chance to learn a lesson for a first-time violation.

“I would hate to see Europa Cafe closed,” she said. “It is a nice business and it employs people in town,” she said.

Rodrigues also is waiting for the state to approve his restaurant license since he was behind on payment of his taxes, Fernandes said.

In the meantime, selectmen said he can operate under his innkeeper’s license so long as four rooms in the building are available for lodging until the restaurant license is approved.

The three-day license suspension will be in effect April 22, 23 and 24, selectmen said.